Individualized nutrient preparation apparatus and system

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an individualized nutrient preparation apparatus to prepare an individualized nutrient according to user characteristics. The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus includes a data processing unit configured to generate individual nutrient prescription data, a plurality of supply units configured to independently supply different nutrient granules according to the individual nutrient prescription data, each of which supplying a predetermined number set of the nutrient granules, and a packing unit configured to pack a mix of the nutrient granules.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a nutrient preparation apparatus, andmore particularly to an individualized nutrient preparation apparatuswhich may prepare an individualized nutrient according to usercharacteristics.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, vitamins together with three major nutrient, such asprotein, fat and carbohydrates, are substances necessary to adjust aphysiological function even with a small amount and it is known thatvitamins are incapable of being synthesized in a human body and thusneed to be absorbed from the outside.

Recently, importance of vitamins is being more emphasized and theparadigm of vitamins is being changed. That is, vitamins wereconventionally taken by persons suffering from vitamin deficiency so asto cure diseases caused thereby but are now used to prevent and curevarious diseases as well as to supplement deficiency.

Further, indiscriminant overdose of vitamins may cause side effects and,thus, a person may take a proper dose of vitamins according to internaluse purposes and individual characteristics. However, most consumersindiscriminately take many kinds of vitamins without consideration ofhealth and correct understanding of medicines.

Therefore, several measures to prepare specialized nutrientsindividualized according to individual characteristics are proposed now.However, these measures are not yet satisfactory and development of newmeasures has been required.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the aboveproblems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide anindividualized nutrient preparation apparatus which may prepare anindividualized nutrient according to user characteristics.

It is another object of the present invention to provide anindividualized nutrient preparation apparatus which may prepare one doseof an individualized nutrient at a precise composition ratio accordingto individual nutrient prescription data.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anindividualized nutrient preparation apparatus which may simplify anutrient preparation process and rapidly prepare an individualizednutrient according to different prescription conditions.

TECHNICAL SOLUTION

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above andother objects can be accomplished by the provision of an individualizednutrient preparation apparatus to prepare a nutrient according to usercharacteristics, including a data processing unit configured to generateindividual nutrient prescription data, a plurality of supply unitsconfigured to independently supply different nutrient granules accordingto the individual nutrient prescription data, each of which supplying apredetermined number set of the nutrient granules, and a packing unitconfigured to pack a mix of the nutrient granules.

The data processing unit may generate the individual nutrientprescription data in various methods according requirements. Forexample, the data processing unit may be configured to generate theindividual nutrient prescription data corresponding to medical inquirydata according to individual characteristics, input through an inputunit.

Various terminals may be used as the input unit according torequirements. Here, terminals may include general electrical/electronicapparatuses, such as a desktop computer, a personal digital assistance(PDA), a smart phone, a handheld PC, a portable terminal, a notebookcomputer, a tablet computer and the like, but the present invention maynot be limited as to kinds and characteristics of terminals.

For reference, in the present invention, the medical inquiry data mayinclude data regarding user characteristics, for example, a healthstate, habits and the like, but the present invention may not be limitedas to kinds of data included in medical inquiry data. For example, themedical inquiry data may include data regarding at least one of user'sage, sex, weight, height, eating habits, drinking, smoking, labor type,possessing diseases and sleeping habits.

The data processing unit may generate the individual nutrientprescription data corresponding to the medical inquiry data inputthrough the input unit. For example, the data processing unit maycompare the medical inquiry data with predetermined reference data andcalculate information regarding kinds and contents of specific nutrientingredients required by an individual according to a result ofcomparison.

In the present invention, the reference data may be understood as dataregarding kinds and doses of nutrient ingredients which need to beincluded in a diet required by healthy individuals and be predeterminedin the data processing unit. For example, the reference data may bepredetermined based on a single recommended dose. Further, contents ofspecific nutrient ingredients may be increased or decreased based onmedical inquiry data according to individual characteristics.

The generated individual nutrient prescription data may includeinformation regarding kinds and contents of various nutrient ingredientsspecialized according to individual characteristics. For example, theindividual nutrient prescription data may include the composition ratioof at least one of vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

For reference, in the present invention, supply of the nutrient granulesone by one from the respective supply units may be understood as supplyof one granule from each supply unit at the same time interval.

The number and disposition of the supply units may be variously modifiedaccording to requirements and design specifications. Although, forexample, the supply units are disposed in a rectilinear shape, ascircumstances require, the supply units may be disposed in a circularshape or other shapes.

The supply units may be provided in various structures which may supplynutrient granules one by one according to requirements or designspecifications. For example, the supply unit may include a storage partto store nutrient granules and a discharge part to discharge thenutrient granules one by one from the storage part.

The structure and characteristics of the storage part may be variouslymodified. For example, the storage part may include a storage containerand an opening/closing member to open and close an opening formed at theupper portion of the storage container. The opening/closing member maybe provided on the storage container so as to be rotatable about one endthereof and thus to be opened and closed. As circumstances require, theopening/closing member may be opened and closed using a general slidingmethod, but the present invention may not be limited as to the openingand closing method of the opening/closing member.

Further, guide plates to define a flow path of the nutrient granules maybe provided within the storage container and the nutrient granules maybe guided to the discharge part along the guide plates. For example, aplurality of guide plates may be alternately disposed at differentheights and separated from one another in the vertical direction, thusbeing capable of defining a flow path of a zigzag shape.

As another example, the storage part may include a storage container anda partition member configured to divide the inner space of the storagecontainer into a storage space to store nutrient granules and areception space to receive a dehumidifying agent and provided withcommunication slots to communicate the storage space and the receptionspace with each other.

Further, a storage amount sensor configured to sense the storage amountof nutrient granules stored in the storage container and a warninggeneration part configured to output a warning signal if a valuemeasured by the storage amount sensor is less than a predetermined valuemay be provided on the storage container.

The discharge part may be provided in various structures which maydischarge the nutrient granules, supplied from the storage part, one byone.

As one example, the discharge part may include a pickup plate includingreceipt grooves formed along the outer circumferential surface andconfigured to be rotatable vertically so as to be adjacent to an outletof the storage part, and a guide member including a granule dischargehole and configured to surround the outer circumferential surface of thepickup plate, and the nutrient granules may be picked up one by one bythe receipt grooves as the pickup plate is vertically rotated and, ifthe granule discharge hole is disposed so as to coincide with thereceipt groove in the vertical direction when the pickup plate isrotated, the nutrient granule received in the receipt groove may bedischarged through the granule discharge hole.

As another example, the discharge part may include a first plateincluding receipt grooves to receive the nutrient granules supplied fromthe storage part one by one and a second plate including a granuledischarge hole and provided under the first plate so as to be rotatablerelative to the first plate, and, if the granule discharge hole isdisposed so as to coincide with the receipt groove in the verticaldirection during relative rotation between the first plate and thesecond plate, the nutrient granule received in the receipt groove may bedischarged through the granule discharge hole.

For reference, relative rotation of the second plate to the first platemay be understood as including rotation of the second plate in the fixedstate of the first plate and rotation of the first plate in the fixedstate of the second plate.

Further, the discharge part may include a discharge member configured todischarge the nutrient granules so that the nutrient granules may bemore effectively discharged. For example, the discharge member may beprovided adjacent to the granule discharge hole and configured todischarge the nutrient granule from the receipt groove approaching thegranule discharge hole. For this purpose, guide grooves communicatingwith the receipt grooves may be formed on the first plate, a part of thedischarge member may be received in the guide grooves, and the nutrientgranule received in the receipt groove approaching the granule dischargehole may be pressed by the discharge member and discharged.

The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus may further a firstsensor provided adjacent to one end of the granule discharge hole and asecond sensor provided adjacent to the other end of the granuledischarge hole, the first sensor may sense whether or not the receiptgroove approaching the granule discharge hole receives the nutrientgranule, and the second sensor may sense whether or not the receiptgroove passing through the granule discharge hole discharges thenutrient granule.

As another example, the discharge part may include a pickup rollerincluding pickup holes and configured to be rotatable adjacent to theoutlet of the storage part and an actuator configured to provide drivingforce to rotate the pickup roller, and, as the pickup roller is rotated,and the nutrient granules may be picked up one by one by the pickupholes and then discharged.

The pickup holes may be formed to have a size to pick up one nutrientgranule at a time and the number and separation interval of pickup holesmay be variously modified. For example, the pickup holes may have a sizecorresponding to the nutrient granules or a smaller size (diameter) thanthe nutrient granules.

Various types of actuators may be used as the actuator according torequirements and design specifications, but the present invention maynot be limited as to the connection structure between actuator and thepickup roller. For example, the actuator may be configured to providerectilinear driving force and an interlock member to convert therectilinear driving force into rotary driving force may be connected tothe pickup roller. As circumstances require, a separate connectionmember may be excluded and the pickup roller may be rotated directly bythe driving force of the actuator.

The discharge part may include a transfer guide part configured totransfer the nutrient granules picked up by the pickup roller and agranule transfer hole to transfer the nutrient granules one by one maybe formed on the transfer guide part. Further, a temporary loader partto temporarily load the nutrient granules prior to pickup may be formedon the transfer guide part and the nutrient granules supplied from thestorage part and loaded on the temporary loader part may be picked upone by one by the pickup roller and transferred through the granuletransfer hole.

Further, the discharge part may include a vacuum suction part and thenutrient granules may be sucked by the pickup hole by vacuum suctionforce. Further, a vacuum pressure sensor to sense the vacuum pressure ofthe vacuum suction part may be provided and whether or not the nutrientgranule is normally picked up may be sensed using a signal sensed by thevacuum pressure sensor. For example, when the vacuum pressure sensorsenses a predetermined pressure, it may be judged that the nutrientgranule is normally picked up through the pickup hole and, when thevacuum pressure sensor senses a pressure lower than the predeterminedpressure, it may be judged that the nutrient granule is abnormallypicked up through the pickup hole. As circumstances require, the vacuumsuction part may be excluded and the nutrient granules may be picked upone by on simply by the pickup roller.

The vacuum suction part may be individually provided on each of thesupply units or the supply units may commonly use one vacuum suctionpart. For example, the vacuum suction part and the pickup rollers of therespective supply units may be independently connected by a plurality ofconnection channels, and control valves to selectively cut offindependently at least one of the respective connection channels may beprovided on the respective connection channels.

A hopper configured to gather the nutrient granules supplied from therespective supply units into one place may be provided under the supplyunits and the nutrient granules supplied from the supply units to thehopper may be gathered along the inclined guide surface of the hopperand guided to the packing unit.

The packing unit may be provided to pack the gathered nutrient granulesinto units of one dose according to requirements and designspecifications. For example, the packing unit may pack the nutrientgranules into at least one type of a capsule, a packet and a stick, butthe present invention may not be limited as to the packing shape andtype of the packing unit.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an individualized nutrient preparation system to prepare anutrient according user characteristics, including an input unitconfigured to input medical inquiry data according to individualcharacteristics, a data processing unit configured to generateindividual nutrient prescription data corresponding to the medicalinquiry data, and a preparation unit configured to receive theindividual nutrient prescription data and prepare the nutrient accordingto the individual nutrient prescription data.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

As described above, an individualized nutrient preparation apparatus inaccordance with the present invention may prepare an individualizednutrient according user characteristics.

Particularly, in accordance with the present invention, different supplyunits may supplies different nutrient granules one by one as thepredetermined number set to one dose according to individual nutrientprescription data and thus, one dose of the individual nutrient may beprepared at a precise composition ratio.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, if a granuledischarge hole is disposed so as to coincide with a receipt groove inthe vertical direction during rotation of a pickup plate (or relativerotation between a first plate and a second plate), a nutrient granulereceived in the receipt groove may be discharged through the granuledischarge hole and thus, excessive supply of specific nutrient granulesmay be prevented and nutrient granules may be more stably and preciselysupplied one by one.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, the nutrient granulesare picked up one by one in a vacuum suction method and then suppliedand thus, excessive supply of specific nutrient granules may beprevented and nutrient granules may be more stably and preciselysupplied one by one.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, different supplyunits may supplies different nutrient granules one by one as thepredetermined number according to individual nutrient prescription dataand thus, a nutrient preparation process may be simplified and anutrient may be rapidly prepared according to different prescriptionconditions.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, an individualizednutrient specialized according to individual characteristics, such asuser's age, sex, weight, height, eating habits, drinking, smoking, labortype, possessing diseases and sleeping habits, may be prepared.

Moreover, the individualized nutrient preparation apparatus inaccordance with the present invention may prevent indiscriminate takingnutrients and side effects thereby and contribute to promotion of userhealth.

Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an individualized nutrientpreparation apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the individualized nutrientpreparation apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are views illustrating a supply unit and a storage part ofthe individualized nutrient preparation apparatus in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIGS. 5 to 7 are views illustrating a modification of the supply unitand the storage part of the individualized nutrient preparationapparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a packing unit of the individualizednutrient preparation apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating nutrients prepared by the individualizednutrient preparation apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating an individualized nutrient preparationapparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a supply unit of the individualizednutrient preparation apparatus in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a storage part of the individualizednutrient preparation apparatus in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a modification of the storage part of theindividualized nutrient preparation apparatus in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are views illustrating an operating structure of thesupply unit of the individualized nutrient preparation apparatus inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating a vacuum suction part of theindividualized nutrient preparation apparatus in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a view illustrating a modification of the supply unit of theindividualized nutrient preparation apparatus in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 18 to 20 are views illustrating a process for calculatingindividual nutrient prescription data according to user characteristicsusing an individualized nutrient preparation apparatus in accordancewith the present invention.

BEST MODE

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. In thefollowing description of the present invention, a detailed descriptionof known functions and configurations incorporated herein will beomitted when it may make the subject matter of the present inventionrather unclear.

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an individualized nutrientpreparation apparatus in accordance with the present invention, FIG. 2is a plan view illustrating the individualized nutrient preparationapparatus in accordance with the present invention, FIGS. 3 and 4 areviews illustrating a supply unit and a storage part of theindividualized nutrient preparation apparatus in accordance with thepresent invention, FIGS. 5 to 9 are views illustrating a modification ofthe supply unit and the storage part of the individualized nutrientpreparation apparatus in accordance with the present invention, FIG. 8is a view illustrating a packing unit of the individualized nutrientpreparation apparatus in accordance with the present invention, and FIG.9 is a view illustrating nutrients prepared by the individualizednutrient preparation apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 18 to 20 are views illustrating a process for calculatingindividual nutrient prescription data according to user characteristicsusing an individualized nutrient preparation apparatus in accordancewith the present invention.

As exemplarily shown in these figures, an individualized nutrientpreparation apparatus in accordance with the present invention includesa data processing unit 20 and a preparation unit and is configured so asto prepare an individualized nutrient specialized according to usercharacteristics.

The data processing unit 20 is provided so as to generate individualnutrient prescription data. For example, with reference to FIG. 18, thedata processing unit 20 may be configured so as to generate individualnutrient prescription data corresponding to medical inquiry data inputthrough an input unit 10.

That is, the input unit 10 may be provided so as to input medicalinquiry data according to individual characteristics. Various terminalsmay be used as the input unit 10 according to requirements. Here,terminals may include general electrical/electronic apparatuses, such asa desktop computer, a personal digital assistance (PDA), a smart phone,a handheld PC, a portable terminal, a notebook computer, a tabletcomputer and the like, but the present invention is not limited as tokinds and characteristics of terminals.

For reference, in the present invention, medical inquiry data mayinclude data regarding user characteristics, for example, a healthstate, habits and the like, but the present invention is not limited asto kinds of data included in medical inquiry data.

For example, with reference to FIG. 19, medical inquiry data may includedata regarding at least one of user's age, sex, weight, height, eatinghabits, drinking, smoking, labor type, possessing diseases and sleepinghabits.

Although this embodiment of the present invention exemplarilyillustrates respective information of medical inquiry data as beinginput as a shortly answering type, the respective information may besegmented according to requirements. For example, information regardingeating habits may include an item to select eating-meat oreating-vegetables and segmented information regarding daily intake,information regarding smoking may include segmented informationregarding an amount of smoking per day, and information regardingdrinking may include segmented information regarding kinds of alcoholsand an amount of drinking once.

The data processing unit 20 is provided to generate individual nutrientprescription data corresponding to medical inquiry data input throughthe input unit 10. That is, when medical inquiry data according toindividual characteristics is input, the data processing unit 20 maygenerate individual nutrient prescription data specialized according toindividual characteristics based on the input medical inquiry data.

For example, the data processing unit 20 may compare the medical inquirydata with predetermined reference data and calculate informationregarding kinds and contents of specific nutrient ingredients requiredby an individual according to a result of comparison.

In the present invention, the reference data may be understood as dataregarding kinds and doses of nutrient ingredients which need to beincluded in a diet required by healthy individuals and be predeterminedin the data processing unit 20. For example, the reference data may bepredetermined based on a single recommended dose. Further, contents ofspecific nutrient ingredients may be increased or decreased based onmedical inquiry data according to individual characteristics. Forexample, although a single recommended dose of a specific nutrientingredient corresponding to a specific age and sex is 5 mg, the dose ofthe specific nutrient ingredient may be increased or decreased accordingto different individual characteristics (for example, eating habits,possessing diseases and the like) so as to be greater or less than 5 mg.Differently, the reference data may be predetermined based on arecommended daily dose.

The input unit 10 and the data processing unit 20 may be connected sothat they may execute remote communication. Hereinafter, connection ofthe input unit and the data processing unit 20 via the Internet will beexemplarily described. As circumstances require, the input unit and thedata processing unit may be connected through other differentcommunication networks, such as a local area network (LAN), a packetdata network (PDN), and a public switched telephone network, so thatthey may execute remote communication.

The individual nutrient prescription data generated by theabove-described procedure may include information regarding kinds andcontents of various nutrient ingredients specialized according toindividual characteristics. For example, the individual nutrientprescription data may include the composition ratio of at least one ofvitamins, minerals and amino acids.

With reference to FIG. 20, the individual nutrient prescription data mayinclude information regarding various vitamin ingredients, includingvitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D and vitamin E, and contentsof these vitamin ingredients. Further, information regarding vitamin Bmay include segmented information regarding vitamin B1 (thiamine),vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin, nicotine amid) and vitaminB4 (pantothenic acid).

Further, the individual nutrient prescription data may includeinformation regarding various mineral ingredients, such as calcium (Ca),potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), chrome (Cr), zinc (Zn) and the like, andcontents of these mineral ingredients and include information regardingvarious amino acids, such as glycine, lysine, isoleucine, methionine,ricin and the like, and contents of these amino acids.

The individual nutrient prescription data generated by the dataprocessing unit 20 may be transmitted directly to the preparation unit,which will be described later, and, as circumstances require, theindividual nutrient prescription data generated by the data processingunit may be transmitted to the input unit (for example, a user terminal)and then transmitted to the preparation unit.

Further, the individual nutrient prescription data may be transmitted asa document or file which may be confirmed by general users and, ascircumstances require, be transmitted as an encrypted document or filewhich may be confirmed by a specific user. Otherwise, the individualnutrient prescription data may be converted into a QR code and thentransmitted.

As described above, in the present invention, individual nutrientprescription data specialized according to individual characteristics,such as user's age, sex, weight, height, eating habits, drinking,smoking, labor type, possessing diseases and sleeping habits, may begenerated. For example, a prescription of a nutrient including calcium,magnesium, vitamin D and the like to prevent osteoporosis may be givento a woman past menopause and contents of respective ingredients of thenutrient may be properly increased or decreased according to differentindividual characteristics, such as user's age, sex, weight, height,eating habits, drinking, smoking, labor type, possessing diseases andsleeping habits.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, the preparation unit is configured toreceive individual nutrient prescription data and to prepare a nutrientaccording to the individual nutrient prescription data, and includessupply units 30 and a packing unit 70. Hereinafter, the data processingunit 20, the supply units 30 and the packing unit 70, which are mountedon an dedicated table 90, will be exemplarily described.

The table 90 may have various shapes and structures according torequirements and design specifications, but the present invention is notlimited as to the shape and structure of the table 90. For example, thetable 90 may have an approximately rectangular box shape, a plurality ofsupply units 30, which will be described later, may be disposed on theupper surface of the table 90, and the packing unit 70, which will bedescribed later, may be disposed within the table 90. Further, the frontsurface of the table 90 may be formed of a transparent material so thata worker may easily observe the state of the inside of the table 90.

A discharge conveyer 91 to discharge a nutrient, packed into designatedunits by the packing unit 70, may be formed at one side of the inside ofthe table 90, and an input/output unit (not shown) to output variouspieces of information, such as a general progressing state (for example,a supply amount, a remaining amount, a supply ratio and the like) and apreparation environment (for example, humidity, temperature and thelike), and to receive inputs for execution of specific functions may beprovided at the other side of the upper portion of the table 90. Forexample, the input/output unit may be provided as a general touchscreen,but the present invention is not limited as to the kind andcharacteristics of the input/output unit.

The supply units 30 are provided to independently supply different kindsof nutrient granules one by one according to individual nutrientprescription data. Here, supply of nutrient granules one by one from therespective supply units 30 may be understood as supply of one granulefrom each supply unit 30 at the same time interval.

Further, in the present invention, nutrient granules may include atleast one of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, a Korean traditionalmedicine, and other nutrients, but the present invention is not limitedas to kinds and characteristics of nutrient granules. For reference,nutrient granules may have a size (or a diameter) of about 0.5 mm˜2 mmand, as circumstances require, may have a size smaller or greater than0.5 mm˜2 mm.

The number and disposition of the supply units 30 may be variouslymodified according to requirements and design specifications.Hereinafter, the supply units 30 disposed in two straight lines inparallel on the upper surface of a hopper 60, which will be describedlater, will be exemplarily described. As circumstances require, thesupply units 30 may be disposed in a circular shape or other shapes, butthe present invention is not limited as to the disposition of the supplyunits.

The supply units 30 are configured to supply different kinds of nutrientgranules one by one according to individual nutrient prescription data.Hereinafter, the supply units 30 configured such that each of the supplyunits 30 supplies different nutrient granules one by one as thepredetermined number set to one dose will be exemplarily described. Forexample, one dose of a nutrient prescribed according to specificprescription data includes 5 granules of an ingredient A, 3 granules ofan ingredient B and 2 granules of an ingredient C, the supply unit A 30may supply a granule of the ingredient A 5 times, the supply unit B 30may supply a granule of the ingredient B 3 times, and the supply unit C30 may supply a granule of the ingredient C 2 times. As circumstancesrequire, the respective supply units may be configured to supplynutrient granules one by one up to two or three doses.

The supply units 30 may have various structures which may supplynutrient granules one by one according to requirements or designspecifications. Hereinafter, the supply unit 30 including a storage part40 to store nutrient granules and a discharge part 50 to discharge thenutrient granules from the storage part 40 one by one will beexemplarily described.

As one example, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the storage part 40 maybe fixedly installed on the dedicated table 90. Hereinafter, the storagepart 40 including a storage container 41 and an opening/closing member42 will be exemplarily described.

The storage container 41 may be formed in various shapes, such as acircular shape, a rectangular shape or a polygonal shape, according torequirements and design specifications. An opening may be formed at theupper portion of the storage container 41 and a discharge hole (notshown) to discharge nutrient granules may be formed at the lower portionof the storage container 41.

The opening/closing member 42 may be provided to open and close theopening formed at the upper portion of the storage container 41. Forexample, the opening/closing member 42 may be provided at the upperportion of the storage container 41 so as to be rotatable about one endthereof and thus to be opened and closed. As circumstances require, theopening/closing member may be opened and closed using a general slidingmethod, but the present invention is not limited as to the opening andclosing method of the opening/closing member.

If nutrient granules stored in the storage container 41 are less than adesignated amount, the opening/closing member 42 may be opened so as tofill the storage container 41 with nutrient granules.

Further, a guide plate 43 to define a flow path of the nutrient granulesmay be provided within the storage container 41 and the nutrientgranules may be guided to the discharge part 50 along the flow pathdefined by the guide plate 43.

Further, the storage container 41 may be provided with an air blowingdevice (not shown) to dehumidify the nutrient granules and a means offiltering (not shown) to prevent influx of moisture in the air.

The discharge part 50 may be formed in various structures which maydischarge nutrient granules, supplied from the storage part 40, one byone. For example, the discharge part 50 may include a pickup plate 52and a guide member 54.

The pickup plate 52 may be formed in a disk shape having a designateddiameter and be rotated vertically adjacent to an outlet of the storagepart 40. Here, vertical rotation of the pickup plate 52 may beunderstood as rotation of the pickup plate 52 about a rotary shaftdisposed in parallel with the ground surface.

A plurality of receipt grooves 52 a to receive the respective nutrientgranules supplied from the storage part 40 is formed along the outercircumferential surface of the pickup plate 52. For example, a pluralityof receipt grooves 52 a separated in the circumferential direction maybe formed on the edge of the circumference of the first plate 52. Thenumber and separation interval of the receipt grooves may be properlymodified according to requirements and design specifications.

The guide member 54 may be provided to surround the outercircumferential surface of the pickup plate 52 and a granule dischargehole 54 a corresponding to the receipt groove 52 a may be formed on theguide member 54. For example, the guide member 54 may be formed in anabout “C” shape so as to surround a part of the outer circumferentialsurface of the pickup plate 52. Further, the granule discharge hole 54 amay be formed in a greater size than the receipt grooves 52 a so that anutrient granule may smoothly pass through the granule discharge hole 54a. As circumstances require, the receipt grooves and the granuledischarge hole may be formed in the same size and shape.

For reference, the pickup plate 52 may be rotated by a general drivingmotor. The driving motor 53 may employ various general motors, such as astamping motor, a servo motor, a stepper motor, a DC motor, an AC motorand the like, but the present invention is not limited as to the kindand characteristics of the driving motor.

By the above structure, as the pickup plate 52 is rotated vertically,the receipt grooves 52 a formed on the outer circumferential surface ofthe pickup plate 52 may pick up nutrient granules one by one. When thepickup plate 52 is rotated in such a state in which the receipt grooves52 a pick up the nutrient granules, if the granule discharge hole 54 ais disposed so as to coincide with the receipt groove 52 a in thevertical direction, the nutrient granule received in the receipt groove52 a may be discharged through the granule discharge hole 54 a. That is,in a state in which the granule discharge hole 54 a is disposed so asnot to coincide with the receipt groove 52 a, the lower portion of thereceipt groove 52 a is blocked by the guide member 54 and thus thenutrient granule received in the receipt groove 52 a may not bedischarged, and, only in a state in which the granule discharge hole 54a is disposed so as to coincide with the receipt groove 52 a in thevertical direction, the nutrient granule received in the receipt groove52 a may be dropped through the granule discharge hole 54 a anddischarged to the outside.

The amount of nutrient granules discharged by the discharge part 50 maybe properly modified by adjusting the rotational velocity of the pickupplate 52 or changing the number of the receipt grooves 52 a. Further,the amount of nutrient granules discharged by the discharge part 50 maybe calculated using the rotational velocity of the pickup plate 52 orthe number of the receipt grooves 52 a or detected through separatesensors.

Hereinafter, sensing of the amount of the discharged nutrient granulesusing a first sensor 56 a and a second sensor 56 b will be exemplarilydescribed.

The first sensor 56 a may be provided adjacent to one end of the granuledischarge hole 54 a and the second sensor 56 b may be provided adjacentto the other end of the granule discharge hole 54 a. The first sensor 56a may sense whether or not the receipt groove 52 a approaching thegranule discharge hole 54 a receives a nutrient granule and the secondsensor 56 b may sense whether or not the receipt groove 52 a passingthrough the granule discharge hole 54 a discharges a nutrient granule.That is, the first sensor 56 a may sense whether or not the receiptgroove 52 a approaching the granule discharge hole 54 a normallyreceives a nutrient granule and the second sensor 56 b may sense whetheror not the receipt groove 52 a passing through the granule dischargehole 54 a normally discharges a nutrient granule, thus being capable ofprecisely counting the amount of discharged nutrient granules.

The first sensor 56 a and the second sensor 56 b may employ a generalphoto sensor, beam sensor, contact sensor and the like, but the presentinvention is not limited as to the kinds and characteristics of thesensors.

The discharge part using the pickup plate which is rotated verticallymay minimize generation of dust and damage due to friction betweennutrient granules and minimize jamming of nutrient granules between thepickup plate and the guide member during rotation of the pickup plate.

As another example, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, a storage part 40′may be fixedly installed on an dedicated table 90′. Hereinafter, thestorage part 40′ including a storage container 41′ and anopening/closing member 42′ will be exemplarily described.

The storage container 41′ may be formed in various shapes, such as acircular shape, a rectangular shape or a polygonal shape, according torequirements and design specifications. An opening may be formed at theupper portion of the storage container 41′ and a discharge hole (notshown) to discharge nutrient granules may be formed at the lower portionof the storage container 41′.

The opening/closing member 42′ may be provided to open and close theopening formed at the upper portion of the storage container 41′. Forexample, the opening/closing member 42′ may be provided at the upperportion of the storage container 41′ so as to be rotatable about one endthereof to be opened and closed. As circumstances require, theopening/closing member may be opened and closed using a general slidingmethod, but the present invention is not limited as to the opening andclosing method of the opening/closing member.

If nutrient granules stored in the storage container 41′ are less than adesignated amount, the opening/closing member 42′ may be opened so as tofill the storage container 41 with nutrient granules.

Further, guide plates 43′ to define a flow path of the nutrient granulesmay be provided within the storage container 41′ and the nutrientgranules may be guided to the discharge part 50′ along the flow pathdefined by the guide plates 43′.

The structure and disposition of the guide plates 43′ may be variouslymodified according to requirements and design specifications. Forexample, a plurality of guide plates 43′ may be alternately disposed atdifferent heights and separated from one another in the verticaldirection, thus being capable of defining a flow path of a zigzag shape.By such a structure, nutrient granules put into the storage containers41′ may flow along the respective guide plates 43′ and be transmitted tothe discharge part 50′. Further, since the nutrient granules put intothe storage container 41′ may flow in the zigzag shape along therespective guide plates 43′, clogging of the flow path with the nutrientgranules due to a drop speed and friction may be prevented.

Further, the storage container 41′ may be provided with a ventilationhole 41 a′ to prevent a supply defect of nutrient granules due tohumidity change. For example, the ventilation hole 41 a′ may be formedat one side of the lower surface of the storage container 41′. Ascircumstances require, the ventilation hole may be formed on the sidesurface or the upper surface of the storage container and theventilation hole may be configured to be selectively opened and closed.

The discharge part 50′ may be formed in various structures which maydischarge nutrient granules, supplied from the storage part 40′, one byone. For example, the discharge part 50′ may include a first plate 52′and a second plate 54′.

The first plate 52′ may be formed in a disk shape having a designateddiameter and receipt grooves 52 a to receive the respective nutrientgranules supplied from the storage part 40 are formed on the first plate52′. For example, a plurality of receipt grooves 52 a′ separated in thecircumferential direction may be formed on the edge of the circumferenceof the first plate 52′. The number and separation interval of thereceipt grooves may be properly modified according to requirements anddesign specifications.

The second plate 54′ may be provided under the first plate 52′ so as tobe rotatable relative to the first plate 52′ and a granule dischargehole 54 a′ corresponding to the receipt groove 52 a′ is formed on thesecond plate 54′. For example, the granule discharge hole 54 a may beformed in a curved slot shape having a greater length than the receiptgrooves 52 a′ so that a nutrient granule may smoothly pass through thegranule discharge hole 54 a′. As circumstances require, the receiptgrooves and the granule discharge hole may be formed in the same sizeand shape.

For reference, relative rotation of the second plate 54′ to the firstplate 52′ may be understood as including rotation of the second plate inthe fixed state of the first plate and rotation of the first plate inthe fixed state of the second plate. Hereinafter, rotation of the firstplate 52′ by a general driving motor 53′ in the fixed state of thesecond plate 54′ will be exemplarily described. Various general motors,such as a stamping motor, a servo motor, a stepper motor, a DC motor, anAC motor and the like, may be used as the driving motor 53′, but thepresent invention is not limited as to the kind and characteristics ofthe driving motor.

By the above structure, during relative rotation between the first plate52′ and the second plate 54′, if the granule discharge hole 54 a′ isdisposed so as to coincide with the receipt groove 52 a′ in the verticaldirection, a nutrient granule received in the receipt groove 52 a′ maybe discharged through the granule discharge hole 54 a′. That is, in astate in which the granule discharge hole 54 a′ is disposed so as not tocoincide with the receipt groove 52 a′, the lower portion of the receiptgroove 52 a′ is blocked by the second plate 54′ and thus the nutrientgranule received in the receipt groove 52 a′ may not be discharged, and,only in a state in which the granule discharge hole 54 a′ is disposed soas to coincide with the receipt groove 52 a′ in the vertical direction,the nutrient granule received in the receipt groove 52 a′ may be droppedthrough the granule discharge hole 54 a′ and discharged to the outside.

Further, the discharge part 50′ may include a discharge member 58′ todischarge nutrient granules so that the nutrient granules may be moreeffectively discharged.

Hereinafter, provision of the discharge member 58′ adjacent to thegranule discharge hole 54 a′ and discharge of the nutrient granule fromthe receipt groove 52 a′ approaching the granule discharge hole 54 a′ bythe discharge member 58′ will be exemplarily described. For reference,the receipt groove 52 a′ approaching the granule discharge hole 54 a′may be understood as a receipt groove most closely approaching thegranule discharge hole 54 a′ from among the receipt grooves 52 a′, asthe first plate 52′ is rotated.

For example, guide grooves 52 b′ communicating with the receipt grooves52 a′ may be formed on the first plate 52′ and a part of the lower endof the discharge member 58′ may be received in the guide grooves 52 b′.Therefore, a nutrient granule received in the receipt groove 52 a′approaching the granule discharge hole 54 a′ may be pressed by thedischarge member 58′ and discharged.

Such a structure may firmly discharge a nutrient granule under thecondition that it is difficult to normally discharge the nutrientgranule. For example, even if a nutrient granule is stuck to the insideof the receipt groove, the nutrient granule may be pressed by thedischarge member and thus firmly discharged. As circumstances require, aspring member, a solenoid, a rotating member and the like may be used asthe discharge member, but the present invention is not limited as to thekind and characteristics of the discharge member.

The amount of nutrient granules discharged by the discharge part 50′ maybe properly modified by adjusting the rotational velocity of the firstplate 52′ or changing the number of the receipt grooves 52 a′. Further,the amount of nutrient granules discharged by the discharge part 50′ maybe calculated using the rotational velocity of the first plate 52′ orthe number of the receipt grooves 52 a′ or detected through separatesensors.

Hereinafter, sensing of the amount of discharged nutrient granules usinga first sensor 56 a′ and a second sensor 56 b′ will be exemplarilydescribed.

The first sensor 56 a′ may be provided adjacent to one end of thegranule discharge hole 54 a′ and the second sensor 56 b′ may be providedadjacent to the other end of the granule discharge hole 54 a′. The firstsensor 56 a′ may sense whether or not the receipt groove 52 a′approaching the granule discharge hole 54 a′ receives a nutrient granuleand the second sensor 56 b′ may sense whether or not the receipt groove52 a passing through the granule discharge hole 54 a′ discharges anutrient granule. That is, the first sensor 56 a′ may sense whether ornot the receipt groove 52 a′ approaching the granule discharge hole 54a′ normally receives a nutrient granule and the second sensor 56 b′ maysense whether or not the receipt groove 52 a′ passing through thegranule discharge hole 54 a′ normally discharges a nutrient granule,thus being capable of precisely counting the amount of dischargednutrient granules.

The first sensor 56 a′ and the second sensor 56 b′ may employ a generalphoto sensor, beam sensor, contact sensor and the like, but the presentinvention is not limited as to the kinds and characteristics of thesensors. Further, a cover member 56 c′ to protect the first sensor 56 a′and the second sensor 56 b′ may be provided on the second plate.

Further, the hopper 60 to gather nutrient granules supplied from therespective supply units 30 into one place may be provided under thesupply units 30. The respective nutrient granules supplied from thesupply units 30 to the hopper 60 may be guided to the center of thehopper 60 along the inclined guide surface of the hopper 60 and thegathered nutrient granules may be guided to the packing unit 70.

Further, a cleaning unit (not shown) to clean the hopper 60 may beprovided on the hopper 60. For example, the cleaning unit may beconfigured so as to clean the hopper 60 using at least one of a generalgas (for example, air) and vibration. For reference, in the presentinvention, a nutrient of a granule type not a powdery type or a liquidtype may be supplied from the respective supply units 30 and, thus, thehopper 60 may be effectively cleaned simply by spraying a gas orgenerating vibration not by spraying a separate liquid (for example,water).

The packing unit 70 is provided to pack nutrient granules supplied fromthe respective supply units 30 into units of one dose. The packing unit70 is provided to pack nutrient granules, agitated through variousmethods according to requirements and design specifications, intopredetermined units, but the present invention is not limited as to thestructure and method of the packing unit 70.

For example, with reference to FIG. 8, the packing unit 70 may include afilm supply unit 72 to continuously supply a film, a guide unit 73 toguide the agitated nutrient granules into a plurality of packing spacesprovided on the film, an adhesion unit 74 to close openings of thepacking spaces, and a cutting unit 75 to cut the film into respectiveunits corresponding to the packing spaces.

The film supply unit 72 may include a winding roller to wind the film ina roll type and a guide roller to guide the film supplied from thewinding roller, but the present invention is not limited as to thestructure and characteristics of the film supply unit 72. Although theembodiment of the present invention describes that the film suppliedfrom the winding roller is guided by the guide roller under thecondition that the direction of the film is changed by about 90 degreesby the guide roller, the film may be guided at different angles andthrough different methods according to requirements and designspecifications.

Further, the film supply unit 72 may include a film sensor 710 to sensethe amount of the film remaining on the winding roller and varioussensors which may sense the remaining amount of the film may be used asthe film sensor.

Further, a plurality of independently divided packing spaces may beprovided on the film. The packing spaces may be formed while the film issupplied from the above-described film supply unit 72 or the film onwhich the packing spaces are formed already may be supplied from thefilm supply unit 72.

The guide unit 73 is provided to guide the agitated nutrient granules tothe packing spaces provided on the film.

For example, the guide unit 73 may be provided adjacent to the outlet ofthe hopper 60 so as to rectilinearly move in the vertical direction andthus guide nutrient granules gathered in the hopper 60 to the openingsof the packing spaces. Further, the guide unit 73 may include a knife 73a to widen the opening of the packing space.

The adhesion unit 74 is provided to close the opening of the packingspace after the packing space is filled with nutrient granules. Theadhesion unit 74 may be provided to seal the opening of the packingspace using a general heat sealing method and, as circumstances require,be provided to seal the opening of the packing space using a generaladhesive.

The cutting unit 75 may be provided to cut the film into respectiveunits corresponding to the packing spaces and various general cuttingdevices may be used as the cutting unit 75 according to requirements anddesign specifications.

Such a packed nutrient may be shown in FIG. 9( a), and the packednutrient may be discharged to the outside through the discharge conveyer91 of the above-described table 90.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating an individualized nutrient preparationapparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a supply unit of theindividualized nutrient preparation apparatus in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention, FIG. 12 is a view illustrating astorage part of the individualized nutrient preparation apparatus inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 isa view illustrating a modification of the storage part of theindividualized nutrient preparation apparatus in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 14 and 15 are viewsillustrating an operating structure of the supply unit of theindividualized nutrient preparation apparatus in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention, FIG. 16 is a view illustrating avacuum suction part of the individualized nutrient preparation apparatusin accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.17 is a view illustrating a modification of the supply unit of theindividualized nutrient preparation apparatus in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention. Further, some parts in thisembodiment which are substantially the same as those in theabove-described former embodiment are denoted by the same referencenumerals even though they are depicted in different drawings and adetailed description thereof will thus be omitted because it isconsidered to be unnecessary.

With reference to FIGS. 10 to 17, an individualized nutrient preparationapparatus in accordance with this embodiment of the present inventionincludes a data processing unit (not shown), supply units 300, each ofwhich includes a storage part 400 and a discharge part 500, and apacking unit 700, and the discharge part 500 may include a pickup roller510 and an actuator 520.

With reference to FIG. 12, the storage part 400 may be fixedly installedon an dedicated table (with reference to 90 of FIG. 1). For example, thestorage part 400 may include a storage container 410 and anopening/closing member 420.

The storage container 410 may be formed in various shapes, such as acircular shape, a rectangular shape or a polygonal shape, according torequirements and design specifications. An opening may be formed at theupper portion of the storage container 410 and a discharge hole todischarge nutrient granules may be formed at the lower portion of thestorage container 410.

The opening/closing member 420 may be provided to open and close theopening formed at the upper portion of the storage container 410. Forexample, the opening/closing member 420 may be provided at the upperportion of the storage container 410 so as to be rotatable about one endthereof and thus to be opened and closed. As circumstances require, theopening/closing member may be opened and closed using a general slidingmethod, but the present invention is not limited as to the opening andclosing method of the opening/closing member.

If nutrient granules stored in the storage container 410 are less than adesignated amount, the opening/closing member 420 may be opened so as tofill the storage container 410 with nutrient granules.

Further, a storage amount sensor 430 to sense the amount of nutrientgranules stored in the storage container 410 may be provided in thestorage container 410. A general sensor which may sense the amount ofstored nutrient granules may be used as the storage amount sensor 430,but the present invention is not limited as to the kind andcharacteristics of the sensor.

A warning generation part 440 to output a warning signal if a valuemeasured by the storage amount sensor 430 is less than a predeterminedvalue may be provided. Therefore, if the amount of the stored nutrientgranules is less than a designated reference, a manager may rapidlyrecognize this fact and replenish nutrient granules and the nutrientgranules may be continuously supplied without interruption.

Here, the warning signal may include at least one of an audible warningsignal by a sound unit and a visual warning signal by a general warninglight, and various other waning signals recognizable by a user may beused.

With reference to FIG. 13, the storage part 400′ may be mounted on thededicated table so as to be selectively separated from the dedicatedtable and be replaced with different storage parts 400′ according torequirements. For example, the storage part may include a storagecontainer 410′ and a partition member 420′.

The storage container 410′ may be formed in various shapes, such as acircular shape, a rectangular shape or a polygonal shape, according torequirements and design specifications. A discharge hole (not shown) todischarge nutrient granules may be formed at the lower portion of thestorage container 410′ and an opening formed at the lower portion of thestorage container 410′ may be closed by a lower cap (not shown).

The partition member 420′ may be provided within the storage container410′ and divide the inner space of the storage container 410′ into astorage space to store nutrient granules and a reception space toreceive a dehumidifying agent. Further, a plurality of communicationslots 422′ may be formed on the partition member 420′ and the storagespace and the reception space may communicate with each other by thecommunication slots 422′.

The partition member 420′ may be provided in various shapes according torequirements and design specifications. For example, the partitionmember 420′ may be formed in a kind of cone or funnel shape and thenutrient granules may be discharged to the outside of the storagecontainer 410′ through the discharge hole along the inclined surface ofthe partition member 420′.

The dehumidifying agent may be received in the reception space dividedby the partition member 420′, and a general dehumidifying agent, such assilica gel, may be used. As circumstances require, differentdehumidifying agents may be used, but the present invention is notlimited as to the kind and characteristics of the dehumidifying agent.

With reference to FIG. 11, the discharge part 50 includes the pickuproller 510 and the actuator 520 and, as the pickup roller 510 isrotated, nutrient granule may be picked up one by one by a pickup hole512 and discharged to the outside. Further, the discharge part 50 mayinclude a vacuum suction part 560 and, hereinafter, pickup of a nutrientgranule by the pickup hole 512 using a vacuum suction method usingvacuum suction force of the vacuum suction part 560 will be exemplarilydescribed.

With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, the pickup roller 510 may be providedto be rotatable adjacent to an outlet of the storage part 400, and thepickup hole 512 to pick up a nutrient granule may be formed on the outercircumferential surface of the pickup roller 510.

The pickup hole 512 may be formed to have a size to pick up one nutrientgranule at a time and the number and separation interval of pickup holes512 may be variously modified. Hereinafter, the pickup hole 512 which isdisposed at the lower portion of the pickup roller 510 in the initialposition of the pickup roller 510 (in a state prior to pickup) and has asmaller size (diameter) than nutrient granules so as to suck onenutrient granule at a time will be exemplarily described. Ascircumstances require, the pickup hole may have a size corresponding tonutrient granules.

The actuator 520 may provide driving force to rotate the pickup roller510. Various types of actuators 520 may be used as the actuator 520according to requirements and design specifications, but the presentinvention is not limited as to the connection structure between theactuator 520 and the pickup roller 510.

Hereinafter, an example in which the actuator 520 is configured toprovide rectilinear driving force and an interlock member 530 to convertthe rectilinear driving force into rotary driving force is connected tothe pickup roller 510 will be described. For example, since a generalsolenoid providing rectilinear driving force may be used as the actuator520 and the interlock member 530 may be connected to the side surface ofthe pickup roller 510 so as to be rotatable integrally with the pickuproller 510, the interlock member 530 is rotated and pushed by therectilinear driving force of the actuator 520 and the pickup roller 510may be rotated together with the interlock member 530. For this purpose,a long hole may be formed in the vertical direction on the interlockmember 530 and a movable part of the actuator 520 may move along thelong hole of the interlock member.

Further, a return spring 550 may be connected to the interlock member530 and, after pickup of a nutrient granule by the pickup roller 510 hasbeen completed, the interlock member 530 may be returned to an initialposition thereof (the state prior to pickup) by the elastic force of thereturn spring 550 and the pickup roller 510 may also be returned to aninitial position thereof. As circumstances require, the interlock memberand the pickup roller may be configured to be returned to initialpositions thereof by the restoring force of the actuator without thereturn spring.

Further, the discharge part 50 may include a transfer guide part 540 totransfer the nutrient granule picked up by the pickup roller 510. Forexample, the transfer guide part 540 may be formed to surround theoutlet of the storage part 400 and the pickup roller 510 and a granuletransfer hole 542 to transfer nutrient granules one by one may be formedon the transfer guide part 540. The granule transfer hole 542 may beinclined downwards toward the outlet and the nutrient granulesintroduced into the granule transfer hole 542 may be transferred by theinclination of the granule transfer hole 542. As circumstances require,the nutrient granule picked up by the pickup roller 510 may be directlytransferred without the separate transfer guide.

Further, a temporary loader part 544 to temporarily load nutrientgranules supplied from the storage part 400 thereon prior to pickup maybe formed on the transfer guide part 540, and the nutrient granulessupplied from the storage part 400 and temporarily loaded on thetemporary loader part 544 may be picked up one by one by the pickuproller 510 and transferred through the granule transfer hole 542.

The vacuum suction part 560 may be prepared to provide vacuum suctionforce so that the pickup hole 512 may suck the nutrient granule throughvacuum and a general vacuum pump may be used as the vacuum suction part560.

Further, a vacuum pressure sensor 562 to sense vacuum pressure of thevacuum suction part 560 may be provided. A general sensor which maysense vacuum pressure of the vacuum suction part 560 may be used as thevacuum pressure sensor 562 and whether or not the nutrient granule isnormally picked up may be sensed using a signal sensed by the vacuumpressure sensor 562. For example, when the vacuum pressure sensor 562senses a predetermined pressure, it may be judged that a nutrientgranule is normally picked up through the pickup hole 512 and, when thevacuum pressure sensor 562 senses a pressure lower than thepredetermined pressure, it may be judged that a nutrient granule isabnormally picked up through the pickup hole 512. Further, if a nutrientgranule is abnormally picked up through the pickup hole 512, pickup ofthe nutrient granule may be additionally performed manually or byautomatic manipulation.

The vacuum suction part 560 may be individually provided on each of thesupply units 30 or the supply units 30 may commonly use one vacuumsuction part 560. With reference to FIG. 16, the vacuum suction part 560and the pickup rollers 510 of the respective supply units 30 may beindependently connected by a plurality of connection channels 564, andcontrol valves 566 to selectively cut off independently at least one ofthe respective connection channels 564 may be provided on the respectiveconnection channels 564. By such a structure, while a specific pickuproller 510 performs pickup of a nutrient granule through vacuum suction,other pickup rollers 510 may cut off the connection channels 564 throughthe control valves 566 and stop pickup of nutrient granules and, in sucha manner, the frequencies of pickup of nutrient granules by the pickuprollers 510 of the respective supply units 30 may be independentlyadjusted properly.

Although the above-described embodiment of the present inventionexemplarily describes the pickup rollers as picking up nutrient granulesusing a vacuum suction method, as circumstances require, nutrientgranules may be picked up one by one simply by the pickup rollerswithout the vacuum suction part.

With reference to FIG. 17, a pickup roller 510′ may be provided to berotatable adjacent to the outlet of the storage part 400, and a pickuphole 512′ to receive one nutrient granule at a time may be formed on theouter circumferential surface of the pickup roller 510′.

The pickup hole 512′ may be disposed at the upper portion of the pickuproller 510′ in the initial position of the pickup roller 510′ (in astate prior to pickup) and a nutrient granule dropped from the outlet ofthe storage part 400 may be received in the pickup hole 512′.Thereafter, as the pickup roller 510 is rotated by a designated degreeor more, the nutrient granule received in the pickup hole 512′ may bedischarged to the outside of the pickup hole 512′. Although FIG. 17exemplarily describes one pickup hole 512′ formed on the pickup roller510′, for reference, as circumstances require, a plurality of pickupholes may be formed on the pickup roller so as to be separated from oneanother and, in this case, sequentially pick up nutrient granules whenthe pickup roller is rotated.

Further, the pickup roller 510′ may be configured so as to be rotated byrectilinear driving force of an actuator 520′ through a rack and pinionmethod. As circumstances require, the pickup roller may be rotated byrectilinear driving force of the actuator using a separate interlockmember, in the same manner as the above-described embodiment.

Although the above-described embodiment of the present inventionexemplarily describes that nutrient granules are supplied one by oneusing the pickup roller, as circumstances require, nutrient granules maybe supplied one by one using a slide opening/closing member or a rotaryopening/closing member.

Referring to FIG. 10 again, the packing unit 700 may be configured topack nutrient granules supplied from the respective supply units 300into capsule units of one dose. The packing unit 700 may include a lowercapsule supply unit 720 to supply lower capsules 720 a and an uppercapsule supply unit 740 to supply upper capsules 740 a, and the uppercapsule 740 a may be combined with the upper portion of the lowercapsulate 720 a under the condition that the lower capsule 720 a isfilled with nutrient granules gathered by the hopper 600. Such a packednutrient may be shown in FIG. 9( b).

Further, the packed nutrient capsules may be packed into a separatedpacking container 820 of a specific dose by a container packing unit800. For example, the container packing unit 800 may pack the packednutrient capsules into the packing container 820 of a weekly dose. Ageneral packing container, such as a bottle or a barrel, may be used asthe packing container 820, but the present invention is not limited asto the kind and characteristics of the packing container.

Further, although the above-described embodiment of the presentinvention exemplarily describes the packing unit as packing agitatednutrient granules into packets or capsules, the agitated nutrientgranules may be packed into other types, such as sticks (c), asexemplarily shown in FIG. 9.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendisclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art willappreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions arepossible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventionas disclosed in the accompanying claims.

1. An individualized nutrient preparation apparatus to prepare anutrient according to user characteristics, comprising: a dataprocessing unit configured to generate individual nutrient prescriptiondata; a plurality of supply units configured to independently supplydifferent nutrient granules according to the individual nutrientprescription data, each of which supplying a predetermined number set ofthe nutrient granules; and a packing unit configured to pack a mix ofthe nutrient granules.
 2. The individualized nutrient preparationapparatus according to claim 1, wherein: each of the supply unitssupplies the nutrient granules one by one as the predetermined numberset to one dose; and the packing unit packs the nutrient granules intounits of one dose.
 3. The individualized nutrient preparation apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein each of the supply units includes: astorage part to store the nutrient granules; and a discharge part todischarge the nutrient granules one by one from the storage part.
 4. Theindividualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to claim 3,wherein the discharge part includes: a pickup plate including receiptgrooves formed along the outer circumferential surface thereof andconfigured to be rotatable vertically so as to be adjacent to an outletof the storage part; and a guide member including a granule dischargehole and configured to surround the outer circumferential surface of thepickup plate, wherein the nutrient granules are picked up one by one bythe receipt grooves as the pickup plate is vertically rotated and, ifthe granule discharge hole is disposed so as to coincide with thereceipt groove in the vertical direction when the pickup plate isrotated, the nutrient granule received in the receipt groove isdischarged through the granule discharge hole.
 5. The individualizednutrient preparation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein thedischarge part includes: a first plate including receipt grooves toreceive the nutrient granules supplied from the storage part one by one;and a second plate including a granule discharge hole and provided underthe first plate so as to be rotatable relative to the first plate,wherein, if the granule discharge hole is disposed so as to coincidewith the receipt groove in the vertical direction during relativerotation between the first plate and the second plate, the nutrientgranule received in the receipt groove is discharged through the granuledischarge hole.
 6. The individualized nutrient preparation apparatusaccording to claim 5, further comprising a discharge member providedadjacent to the granule discharge hole and configured to discharge thenutrient granule from the receipt groove approaching the granuledischarge hole.
 7. The individualized nutrient preparation apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein: guide grooves communicating with thereceipt grooves are formed on the first plate; a part of the dischargemember is received in the guide grooves; and the nutrient granulereceived in the receipt groove approaching the granule discharge hole ispressed by the discharge member and discharged.
 8. The individualizednutrient preparation apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:a first sensor provided adjacent to one end of the granule dischargehole; and a second sensor provided adjacent to the other end of thegranule discharge hole, wherein: the first sensor senses whether or notthe receipt groove approaching the granule discharge hole receives thenutrient granule; and the second sensor senses whether or not thereceipt groove passing through the granule discharge hole discharges thenutrient granule.
 9. The individualized nutrient preparation apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein the discharge part includes: a pickuproller including pickup holes and configured to be rotatable adjacent tothe outlet of the storage part; and an actuator configured to providedriving force to rotate the pickup roller, wherein, as the pickup rolleris rotated, the nutrient granules are picked up one by one by the pickupholes and then discharged.
 10. The individualized nutrient preparationapparatus according to claim 9, further comprising an interlock memberconnected to the pickup roller, wherein the actuator providesrectilinear driving force and the interlock member converts therectilinear driving force of the actuator into rotary driving force. 11.The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to claim 9,further comprising a transfer guide part configured to transfer thenutrient granules picked up by the pickup roller, wherein a granuletransfer hole to transfer the nutrient granules one by one is formed onthe transfer guide part.
 12. The individualized nutrient preparationapparatus according to claim 11, wherein a temporary loader part totemporarily load the nutrient granules prior to pickup is formed on thetransfer guide part, wherein the nutrient granules loaded on thetemporary loader part are picked up by the pickup roller and transferredthrough the granule transfer hole.
 13. The individualized nutrientpreparation apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the discharge partfurther includes a vacuum suction part to provide vacuum suction forceso that the nutrient granules are sucked by the pickup hole throughvacuum.
 14. The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus accordingto claim 13, further comprising a vacuum pressure sensor to sense thevacuum pressure of the vacuum suction part, wherein whether or not thenutrient granule is picked up is sensed using a signal sensed by thevacuum pressure sensor.
 15. The individualized nutrient preparationapparatus according to claim 13, further comprising: a pluralityconnection channels configured to independently connect the vacuumsuction part and the pickup rollers of the respective supply units; andcontrol valves provided on the respective connection channels toselectively cut off at least one of the connection channelsindependently.
 16. The individualized nutrient preparation apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein the storage part includes: a storagecontainer; and an opening/closing member to open and close an openingformed at the upper portion of the storage container.
 17. Theindividualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to claim 16,wherein: guide plates to define the flow path of the nutrient granulesare provided within the storage container; and the nutrient granules areguided to the discharge part along the guide plates.
 18. Theindividualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to claim 3,wherein the storage part includes: a storage container; and a partitionmember configured to divide the inner space of the storage containerinto a storage space to store the nutrient granules and a receptionspace to receive a dehumidifying agent and provided with communicationslots to communicate the storage space and the reception space with eachother.
 19. The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus accordingto claim 3, further comprising a storage amount sensor configured tosense the amount of the nutrient granules stored in the storage part.20. The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to claim19, further comprising a warning generation part configured to output awarning signal if a value measured by the storage amount sensor is lessthan a predetermined value.
 21. The individualized nutrient preparationapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a hopper configuredto gather the nutrient granules supplied from the respective supplyunits into one place.
 22. The individualized nutrient preparationapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the packing unit packs thenutrient granules into at least one type of a capsule, a packet and astick.
 23. The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus accordingto claim 3, further comprising an air blowing device to dehumidify thenutrient granules stored in the storage part and a means of filtering toprevent influx of moisture in the air into the storage part.
 24. Theindividualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the data processing unit generates the individual nutrientprescription data corresponding to medical inquiry data according toindividual characteristics based on predetermined reference data. 25.The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to claim 24,wherein the data processing unit compares the medical inquiry data withthe reference data and calculates information regarding kinds andcontents of specific nutrient ingredients required by an individualaccording to a result of comparison.
 26. The individualized nutrientpreparation apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the reference datais provided based on one recommended dose and the contents of thespecific nutrient ingredients are increased or decreased according tothe medical inquiry data according to individual characteristics. 27.The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to claim 26,wherein the medical inquiry data includes data regarding at least one ofuser's age, sex, weight, height, eating habits, drinking, smoking, labortype, possessing diseases and sleeping habits.
 28. The individualizednutrient preparation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theindividual nutrient prescription data includes the composition ratio ofat least one of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and a Korean traditionalmedicine.
 29. An individualized nutrient preparation system to prepare anutrient according user characteristics, comprising: an input unitconfigured to input medical inquiry data according to individualcharacteristics; a data processing unit configured to generateindividual nutrient prescription data corresponding to the medicalinquiry data; and a preparation unit configured to receive theindividual nutrient prescription data and prepare the nutrient accordingto the individual nutrient prescription data.
 30. The individualizednutrient preparation system according to claim 29, wherein the dataprocessing unit generates the individual nutrient prescription datacorresponding to the medical inquiry data based on predeterminedreference data.
 31. The individualized nutrient preparation systemaccording to claim 30, wherein the data processing unit compares themedical inquiry data with the reference data and calculates informationregarding kinds and contents of specific nutrient ingredients requiredby an individual according to a result of comparison.
 32. Theindividualized nutrient preparation system according to claim 31,wherein the reference data is provided based on a recommended daily doseor a single recommended dose and the contents of the specific nutrientingredients are increased or decreased according to the medical inquirydata according to individual characteristics.
 33. The individualizednutrient preparation system according to claim 29, wherein the inputunit is configured to execute remote communication with the dataprocessing unit.
 34. The individualized nutrient preparation systemaccording to claim 29, wherein: the medical inquiry data includes dataregarding at least one of user's age, sex, weight, height, eatinghabits, drinking, smoking, labor type, possessing diseases and sleepinghabits; and the individual nutrient prescription data includes thecomposition ratio of at least one of vitamins, minerals and amino acids.35. The individualized nutrient preparation apparatus according to claim5, further comprising: a first sensor provided adjacent to one end ofthe granule discharge hole; and a second sensor provided adjacent to theother end of the granule discharge hole, wherein: the first sensorsenses whether or not the receipt groove approaching the granuledischarge hole receives the nutrient granule; and the second sensorsenses whether or not the receipt groove passing through the granuledischarge hole discharges the nutrient granule.